Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-01-18
Shocking Accident.

Our community was thrown into
state of excitement last Wednesday
at about half-past twelve o'clock, by
shocking accident which occurred
at the Leetown crossing of the b. d
o. r. r., at the edge of town, and
resulted in the death of Messrs.
James Miller and Caleb Campbell.
These two persons (the former aged
about 80 and the latter about 28years)
were driving out of town in sleigh
to sale near Leetown, and were
accompanied by Messrs. John Quick
and Charlie Miller, (brother Of
james, in another sleigh just ahead
of them. The occupants of the first
sleigh saw the south bound mail train
closely approaching as they crossed
the track, and tried to warn those in
the rear not to cross, but they did not
seem to understand the warning and
were apparently unaware of their crit
ical condition. They got upon the
track, but before they could cross the
engine struck the sleigh and threw
them ahead up the track. Mr.. Miller
falling upon the right hand side, with
his legs and head terribly mangled,
and Mr.. Campbell being thrown di-
rectly upon the track and run over,
cutting his body diagonaIly in two.
In the case of the latter instant death
ensucd, whilst the former lived few
minutes after the accident. Mr.. Mil
Ter was taken to the dwelling of Mr..
J. Ed. Burns, Mr.. B. S wife being q
relative, and his remains after being
prepared for burial, were removed to
the residence of the deceased on the
- Cat-Tail" farm of Mrs. Rebecca
Hunter, where his father, Mr.. John
r. Miller, also resides. His inter
ment took place the next day, at Shop
herdstown. The remains of Mr..
Campbell were taken in charge by the
B. & O. r. r. Co., and sent to Page
County, Va, for intcrment, he being
formerly from that county. Mr.. Mil
Ter leaves q wife and one child, and
Mr.. Campbell wife and two chill
drcn. Coroner c. f. GaIlaher had
the following jury of inquest sum-
moncd to sit in the case:
J. V. Simmons, foreman; Jas. W.
Carney. f. J. Williams, NJ. +. Cow
ley, B. +. Milton, Geo. w. Taylor.
D. A. Phillips. J. II. holland, 7. F.
Eddy. T. W. Mitchell, J. w. Taylor
and w. L. Hedges.
The jury, after viewing the bodies
and the locality of the accident, and
hearing the testimony of q number
of witnesses, returned the following
vcrdict: 81.
The jurors, sworn TO enquire when.
how and by what means the said
James Miller and Caleb Campbell
came to their death, upon their oath
do say by being struck and run over
on the Valley Branch of the B. & o.
r. R., on the crossing of the Lee
town road in the town of Charlestown.
w. Va. on january 18th, 1887, by
engine No. us, said engine in charge
of S. F. Hough, rrgineman that said
UOugh did not blow the whistle nor
ring the bell of his engine at the lc
gaIly required distance from the said
crossing, because of the failure of the
said company TO provide 4 whistling
post at the proper point; and we fur
thcr believe that tho said deceased
contributed to their. death by APP
preaching said railroad crossing in n
sleigh with bells ringing and failed TO
take reasonable precautiOn for their
safety. The jury further find that
the crossing where the killing hap
pencd is especially dangerous, and
that the proper authorities should see
that an overhead bridge be speedily
constructed or that the railroad he
required to provide safety gates and
a Waterman to be in attendance there
day and night. to protect the travel
ing public on the county road. ..